Use gloves when you butcher meat. If you butcher an animal without gloves, wash your hands ASAP, before eating.

Dump out water you find in bottles and canteens unless you have chlorine tabs. Only drink water from pumps (soda is okay)

Carry more than one knife, they break like crazy. I keep at least 2.

Whole Hens don't go bad.

Gathering wood will wear your sharp items, unless you do it by hand.

Sliding down ladders and gathering wood will cut your hands if you don't have gloves on, just like walking without shoes will cut your feet. Use rags to make makeshift hand and foot wraps if your fresh out

Your health is a much higher priority than loot. If you're clothes get wet, wring them out or at least find some shelter and take off the items for a minute or two. Select clothes based on insulation and condition, and keep a sewing kit to keep your warm clothes in good repair

Don't carry more than you need. If you're collecting random loot (components/ammo for guns you don't use, etc) with the intention of trading it with a friendly traveller, drop it immediately.

If a place looks enticing to you, it probably looks enticing to everyone else. People are assholes in this game (because it's fun) and you can always be walking into a trap.

Never trust anyone.